Posted on 09/01/2008 11:47:09 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin last week by Republican presidential candidate John McCain has been explained in the media as a "game-changer," "bold," "daring," and in keeping with the Arizona senator's "maverick" image.
But here's what the decision means for across-the-board conservatives: vital.
Before McCain's decision many on the Right (including myself) were alternately ambivalent, disaffected, or outright opposed to the idea of voting for him. After years of nose-thumbing acts by the GOP candidate towards many of his party's colleagues and its base, the temptation for conservatives to register a protest vote (most likely Libertarian Bob Barr) -- or not showing up at all -- was strong.
However, the Palin pick has overturned the apathy towards McCain, in one swell foop (I've always wanted to write that!), into a Republican ticket that is critical for conservatives to support.
Why? Because as Fred Barnes wrote in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend, "should the McCain-Palin ticket win the election, it will produce a huge change in the party itself. Mrs. Palin would become first in the line of succession to become the next Republican presidential nominee and would usher in a new generation of leaders."
That cannot be underestimated. The choice of the Alaskan governor could mean, finally, the elevation of the Tom Coburn/Jim DeMint/John Shadegg reform element of the party over the Ted Stevens/Duke Cunningham/Jerry Lewis old guard.
But more importantly, it could restore to the GOP the principled and inspired conservatism that has been absent from the two top spots since Ronald Reagan left office in 1989. Recall the last 20 years and sigh: Bush/Quayle, Dole/Kemp, and Bush/Cheney. President George H.W. Bush squandered his inheritance and was never in the Reagan mold. Sen. Robert Dole was the "it's his turn" establishment candidate that did not enthuse. And our current president was not the conservative that his early anointers pretended he was.
So the McCain/Palin ticket -- dead even with Obama/Biden, who enjoyed no Democratic convention bump -- holds the most promise in years for delivering the Right from the wilderness. It may not pay immediate dividends in a McCain presidency, but Palin could represent the beginning of a conservative restoration for a long time.
Of course, how it all pans out remains to be seen. McCain's pandering plays to liberals (including the media) could rub off on Palin instead of the other way around. But her record so far shows that she has taken on entrenched Republicans who have lost their way -- the good (unlike much of McCain's) kind of reform that the Right longs for.
Adherents to conservative principles would play a large role here, despite McCain's reputation for stubbornness. If the base, including energized social conservatives, turn out in force for this year's GOP ticket, then they'd have at least have the credibility to remind the him of that and that they should have a voice. How about this for a challenge to a President McCain: "Listen to your (political) wife!"
Of course, many who are inclined to support McCain/Palin have not achieved complete comfort with her. Much is still unknown about her, and questions about her judgment, her background, and whether she lives as she talks will be examined. Democrats and liberal bloggers will make sure every question about her gets scrutinized. While the news of her 17-year-old daughter's pregnancy does not undermine Palin's legitimacy as a candidate, an absence of any more surprises would help. The 60-or-so days left in the campaign are plenty enough time for voters to decide whether she passes muster.
Assuming she does, it will then be not only helpful, but necessary for conservatives to get behind the ticket. Palin represents their views across the spectrum, even if McCain doesn't always. Her profile has been elevated higher and faster than anyone in the base could have hoped, and promoting pro-life, limited-government, and freedom-loving principles in such a dynamic package is an incredible opportunity that cannot be allowed to slip away.
Paul Chesser is an occasional contributor to The American Spectator online.
I think Palin reminds McCain of the conservative he used to be when he was younger. The McCain that didn’t have to worry about running against Bush in 2000.
“That cannot be underestimated. The choice of the Alaskan governor could mean, finally, the elevation of the Tom Coburn/Jim DeMint/John Shadegg reform element of the party over the Ted Stevens/Duke Cunningham/Jerry Lewis old guard. “
It’s not just about going for conservatives or executive experience. The GOP has a RINO problem but also a problem with conservatives, like Duke and Tom Delay. Republicans need to go back to the Newt freshman and reform the entire system.
Unfortunately, this article doesn’t also give any ideas on how to successfully energize all of the other political races that are also happening at every political level. There truly needs to be some decent and successful “political coattails” seriously created by the McCain/Palin Presidential ticket as well as by a variety of other groups, so that many other conservatives, at every level, and many other Republicans, at every level, can also truly succeed in their political races on November 4!
I’m in. (and boy was I out of it before this)
Period.
NOT from the GOP!
Everyone's acting like we got a new nominee to vote for. Truth is that nothings changed today that we didn't have last week.
SSDD
'Strong'? Stupid, IAC.
To make such a statement proves you really need to pay attention.
A revived Republican party isn't going to come from nowhere. We simply don't have attractive conservative candidates that can make IMPACT on the American public.
Now we have a chance to drive a wedge between the libs and the younger generations.
You are so very wrong--EVERYTHING has changed from last week. You just don't want to see it because it isn't changing to your specifications. The world doesn't work that way. If you want to sit it out and help Obama win--which not giving his opponent does--then please tell us where this change IS going to come from?
Well, I wouldn't go that far.
She makes it a bit easier, but McCain is going to have to quit worshiping at the AlGorean Temple of GlobullWarming and drop his idiotic, economy killing, Cap and Trade nonsense before I'll be able to even consider it.
Either that, or the dumbass thought they were saying "Captain Trade", and since occasionally Navy ships occasionally dock at Kyoto, he assumed it was about some guy in charge of a ship, and being an old Navy guy himself, was all for it.
We can maybe survive shamnesty, but we can't survive "Capn Trade.
I've been listening to "conservatives" piss and moan about McCain for decades, then what do they do? They elect the sob!
Well, not me.
I see Palin as a solid “down payment.” He could have picked Pawlenty if he wanted a global warming believer.
In other words, you have no answer, you just like to bitch and whine.
OK, we're giving you the attention you so desperately need. You're special because you're one of the minority that doesn't approve of this pick. OK? Happy?
No answers, no thoughts, no ability to discuss, just bitch. Pathetic.
No, quite the other way around.
A revived Republican party isn't going to come from nowhere. We simply don't have attractive conservative candidates that can make IMPACT on the American public.
That's because the Republican party is full of RINOS. How did it get that way?
Now we have a chance to drive a wedge between the libs and the younger generations.
By electing yet more RINOs... Riiiggght.
You are so very wrong--EVERYTHING has changed from last week.[...]
The ONLY thing that has changed is that saddleback and Palin are a complete reversal for the RINOS and a capitulation to the Conservative Base. They are broke and out of votes, and know that they cannot win without US. So they slap on a new coat of paint and start praisin' Jesus. Big deal. It doesn't change what THEY ARE one bit.
You just don't want to see it because it isn't changing to your specifications. The world doesn't work that way.
That's crap, and you know it.
If you want to sit it out and help Obama win--which not giving his opponent does--then please tell us where this change IS going to come from?
Well gee, seems to me the first good move would be to STOP ELECTING RINOS!!!!
Palin is no big deal... she's just a Conservative... Lift up ANY Reagan Conservative, and you'd have the same exact reaction.
And NOT voting for him will destroy this nation with a dister called the OPbama Administration.
Lemme guess, you never played team sports, did you?
Some times you gotta take one for the team..Vote for McCain. The survival of the nation is more imkportant than your precious lil’ principles.
I was going to write-in bugs bunny but now I am voting for McCain just so those nasty people don’t gloat the next four years.
not voting for Mccain, I will not vote for his water carrier either
No further response needed, I know your plan--just let Obama win and pray a new Reagan arrives.
The rest of us will help elect the only choice between the two, including a woman who will be a model for how conservatives can succeed. You keep crossing your fingers and bitching--that's your definition of the conservative way, I guess.
right piss all over your principles... and remember you are DOING IT FOR YOUR COUNTRY
I am not helping liberals win, you are. I am not voting FOR cap n' trade, you are. I am not voting for socialized medicine, you are. I am not voting for world courts, you are.
I am not voting for 30-50m new socialist democrat voters, but you are. How much good will Palin do you then?
Just click your heels together 3 times and pull the lever for the big Rhinestone "R", and convince yourself you're not being a tool- Being herded around using fear, just like the liberals you laugh at.
the only thing that has change is I guess people have a morbidity here, they expect mcstain to die in office if thats the case its a good choice . but I think the honry guy will stick in for 8 years. even if he does 4 she has 4 years of water carrying to answer to. I would love to see how you all will react when she sells amnesty to rush’s audience
obama will destory the nation, so will mccain that’s why some of us are fustrated. I guess I need to look at the brightside I know Mccain will destroy our country so it happens either way. I’d just rather credit the democrats with destorying the country, they will never let us live it down if a republican does it.
so how do you plan on fighting mccains policies, dont count on palin to do it. it would be unpresidented if she did , the last time there was a shoot out.
I'm buying my liberal neighbors a bottle of wine in exchange for filling out their absentee ballots, so it's a wash.
It beats living under the dictatorship that Obama will give us.
But you go ahead and vote for that traitor Barr or waste your vote writing in Fred Thompson’s name.
I’m sure Barry thanks you.
LOL! "I'm not, YOU are!" I didn't know they allowed you kids to have Internet access on the playground.
You're right. How silly of me.
Of course Obama will appoint more conservative justices than will McCain. He will stop socialized medicine. He will birth a whole generation of young people who will look at him and think "Conservatives are COOL!"
Just retire from the field and bitch and moan and say "Thank God I stood back and did nothing but whined!" Crossing your arms and being petulant and waiting for a perfection that will never come ALWAYS solves problems!
You can delude yourself that not voting doesn't help Obama, but no one believes that. One less vote for McCain allows a socialist into office, yet in your lack of responsibility you argue the opposite. If it helps you sleep better, go right ahead.
I sure hope you folks don't have kids. "Don't do nuthin' in life unless you get perfection. If you don't get that, sit back and bitch--solves everything!"
Grow up.
Palin can keep him in check, and if enough of us vote for McCain WE can keep the pressure on him to behave.
But you go ahead and do what you will. Barry will thank you.
I don’t really like McCain, but I was going to vote for him primarily to keep the nightmare of an Obama administration from happening. Oh sure, I told myself at first ‘no way’, that I’d write in Fred’s name, or just stay home. I’d stand on my principles by gosh, by golly....... Then I started REALLY reading about BHO..... and knew I just couldn’t be a part of the group that.... for whatever reason.... allowed the election of a man who could potentially destroy my country. Just couldn’t justify that to myself.
But now, man, I am eager, ready and really HAPPY to vote for McCain/Palin. She makes the difference in the enthusiasm factor.
Her pick also indicates, to me anyway, that McCain might just be more malleable than I originally thought. I know she will be a big influence on energy issues. Maybe other issues as well, but critical in focusing his head in a right way on energy.
pattyjo
you have been consistent in your opinion, i will give you that. i happen to think belittling someones conservative values is asinine, especially on this forum. Party cohesiveness has its place, but party drones like you arent exactly helping to further the conservative cause in this country. you are at best contributing to the stagnation or minimal degradation of our values.
i couldnt possibly care less what barry thinks.
Justices are a moot point. Nothing Conservative is going to come out f either of them, especially when filtered through a Dem controlled Senate.
He will stop socialized medicine.
No, but just maybe the Republicans will grow a pair and oppose it- They certainly won't oppose their own.
He will birth a whole generation of young people who will look at him and think "Conservatives are COOL!"
Like Socialist Republicans are going to do?
Just retire from the field and bitch and moan and say "Thank God I stood back and did nothing but whined!"
Who is retired from the field? I am here, I am active- I am supporting Conservatives, not Republicans. That is, except those whom MMPAC ask me to support- Those who will stand against the Globalist McCain administration or the Marxist 0bama administration, if either abomination comes upon us.
Crossing your arms and being petulant and waiting for a perfection that will never come ALWAYS solves problems!
I have never asked for perfect. I am a Reagan Conservative, and as always will vote for anyone who can embrace all three pillars of Conservatism. That is all I ask for, and that is not too much to ask of a Republican, as that is directly in line with what Republicans are supposed to stand for. We are a FAR cry from a Reagan Conservative in John McCain't.
You can delude yourself that not voting doesn't help Obama, but no one believes that. One less vote for McCain allows a socialist into office, yet in your lack of responsibility you argue the opposite. If it helps you sleep better, go right ahead.
First of all, I am voting for Keyes, who is the only candidate on the field who meets the standard of Reagan Conservatism.
Secondly, McCain IS a socialist, which is precisely why I will not vote for him. Amnesty, Cap 'n trade, Socialized medicine, LOST treaty, NAU, McCain-Feingold, McCain-Lieberman, World Courts, the list goes on and on. To suggest that McCain is somehow less dangerous than any other of the liberal left is to be willfully blind.
Uh...so what happens when your magic wishes happen and we get a conservative senate some day? All their actions will be overruled by the LEFTISTS Obama put on the court.
I've noticed you really don't THINK, you just feeeel.
Socialist Republicans
Yeah, yeah, I got it, you're doing your silly no-impact vote and Obama's campaign thanks you.
I think we're done.
What Darkwolf said times 10.
LLS
Or the leftists that McCain puts on the court. His promises to the contrary mean nothing. His word is no good, and he will "compromise" with his good friends Teddy Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.
I've noticed you really don't THINK, you just feeeel.
Quite the other way around. My mind is not hampered by blind trust in an institution ("R") which is fatally corrupted.
Yeah, yeah, I got it, you're doing your silly no-impact vote [...]
The "no impact vote" is the one which puts yet another RINO Bakerite administration in office, and furthers this country's slide into an unopposed socialism.
M’kay, we get it—you’re gonna let Obama come to power because he and the leftists he appoints to the court will make no impact. Got it.
I can’t read that guy’s bizarre posts anymore. There’s only so many times I can read the equivalent of “I know you are but what am I?” ;)
bookmark
M’kay, we get it—you’re gonna let McCain come to power because he and the leftists he appoints to the court will make no impact. Got it.
So you are going let a vote for Obama go un-negated?
You’re going to let the opposition have a free one?
It's incredibly childish, and void of any intellectual content.
Thus, I have all I need to know about your infantile position.
I expect you'll respond yet again, but really, your posts are quite dull, and you're beyond having a decent discussion. Enjoy your support for Obama, because of course, he's no different from McCain.
If you truly believe that, you're not just immature and uninformed--you're...well, I'll keep that to myself.
Goodbye.
Did you watch obama’s speech? Liked it?
republicans let the 2nd district in Arkansas have a free one, the demrat can keep his campaign money probably build a pool with it or something.
republicans let the 2nd district in Arkansas have a free one, the demrat can keep his campaign money probably build a pool with it or something.
no, I sure didnt, I know he is lying. With mccain its hard to tell
Actually, I don’t think hussein was lying all that much. He promised to socialize the country. And ban guns too.
Apathy was not the correct word. The correct word was ANGER.
Again, quite the contrary.
You accused me of helping a liberal attain office. I denied it, and said that you were, that is true, giving you specific examples of McCain's supported positions which do in fact prove his socialist/globalist bent.
You made not a single effort to deny these positions which I pointed out to you, because in fact, as I am sure you know, they are undeniable. Rather than try to defend the indefensible, you again try to assail me from another angle, again trying to make me the one enabling liberalism.
Once again, I turned it about on you, giving specific examples, which you again failed to defend against.
The problem that you have in this conversation is that you ARE IN FACT supporting a socialist/globalist, and you know it. No matter how you might like it to be true, that your socialist is less of a socialist than the other team's socialist is not a valid argument, and cannot be sustained.
To be sure, the only thing one gets when sustaining Republican globalism/socialism is *LESS* Conservatism, as previous years should well demonstrate.
There is no defense for supporting liberalism as a means of promoting Conservatism. They are diametrically opposed. What you seem to be left with then, is merely rampant Republicanism. Rah rah.
Have a nice day.
MT is no easy win for Republicans anymore... And especially not McCain.
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